Participate in Our Research Studies

Research participants are needed for the following studies:

Cadence and Intensity Across the Adult Lifespan

The Physical Activity and Health Lab is conducting a study to measure walking steps during treadmill walking and during activities performed in daily life. You will wear several small devices that measure physical activity on the waist, wrist, ankle, thigh and chest; and a portable metabolic system used to measure air you breathe in and out. We are looking for individuals who are between the ages of 41-85 to carry out treadmill walking activities and free-living activities. Total time commitment is 3-4 hours (depending on your age and risk status). If interested contact this email for more information: cadencestudy@gmail.com or call 413-545-1583.

Compensation: $75 Target gift card.

Cadence Entrainment

The Physical Activity and Health Lab is conducting a study to measure intensity of physical activity while walking at prescribed cadences (number of steps per minute) set by a metronome. You will wear several small devices that measure physical activity on the waist, wrist, ankle, thigh and chest; and a portable metabolic system used to measure air you breathe in and out. We are looking for individuals who are between the ages of 21-40 to carry out over-ground walking set to a metronome. Total time commitment is 2 visits of 2.5 hours for the first visit and 1.5 hours for the second visit. If interested contact this email for more information: umassentrainmentstudy@gmail.com

Compensation: $25 Target gift card.

CHAMP (Cultivating Healthy Aging and Muscle Performance) Study

Researchers in the Muscle Biology Laboratory are seeking participants for a study aimed at investigating the effects of different resistance training exercise programs on skeletal muscle function in healthy older men and women (65-75 years old). At this point, it is not clear what type of resistance training is best to improve the muscle function of older men and women, and this information could help us develop better resistance training programs for older adults.

Volunteers must meet the following criteria for participation: 65-75 years old; sedentary (no structured exercise program); non-smoking; good general health (have no neurological, cardiovascular, peripheral vascular or pulmonary disease); no metal implants, pacemakers, or anything that prevents undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan; and willing to wear an activity monitor and fill out an activity log for one week.

Participants will be asked to complete 7 separate visits (~1-2 hours each) to the Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS) and a 16-week exercise program. These visits will consist of health screening, assessment of body composition by MRI and DEXA scans, biopsies of both legs, and tests that measure muscle strength and physical function The exercise program will occur 3x/week and focus on improving leg muscle strength and power. Compensation will be provided upon completion of the study.

For more information or if interested in the CHAMP research project, please contact:

The Behavioral Medicine Lab is recruiting dog owners over the age of 21 for a study assessing the effects of obedience training on the dog-owner bond and human-health outcomes.

The requirements for owners are:

Come to UMass on four total occasions (orientation, baseline, six weeks, 12 weeks)

Attend six-week basic obedience training class (meets once per week for 45 minutes on campus) or maintain normal routine, depending on group assignment

Complete a survey packet and wear an activity monitor for seven days on three occasions (baseline, six weeks, 12 weeks)

Have their dog wear an activity monitor (www.fitbark.com) for seven days on the same three occasions

Have your height, weight and blood pressure measured on three occasions

Subjects are ineligible if they have previously attended an obedience training course with their current dog, have any condition that limits their ability to walk, or have uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes. Subjects will also be ineligible if they are a regular exerciser or walk their dog more than three days per week. Lastly, subjects are ineligible if they have a dog with an expired rabies vaccination or history of aggressive behavior.

In addition to a free or discounted six-week basic obedience training course with My Dog, LLC of Amherst, participants will receive up to $75.

The Musculoskeletal Orthopedic Biomechanics Lab seeks volunteers for a study on high heeled shoe design. Researchers will investigate how different shoes change how individuals move.

Prospective participants must meet the following criteria:

Female with size 6 feet.

Age 21-45 years and BMI <30kg/m2

Be in good general health

Have no history of major lower extremity surgery, injury or current joint pain

Have no history of cardiovascular or neurological conditions (heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke)

Have experience walking in heels

Participants will be asked to complete one visit to the lab, where they will be asked to walk and stand in several different shoes while researchers measure walking patterns, muscle activity, and the pressure pattern under participants' feet. Participants will also be asked to complete questionnaires about their general health.

Participants who complete the study will receive a 30% off gift card to Cole Haan stores.

The Physical Activity and Health Lab seeks children and adolescents 1.5-17 years old to be a part of a research study to assess physical activity measurements using accelerometer technology. Participants will be asked to conduct their normal, every day activities while wearing two activity trackers and being recorded by a video camera to track their physical activity levels.

The lab's research staff will travel to meet the participants and work around their schedules. Four 1-hour sessions are required per the schedule below. Participants will receive a $20 Target Gift Card for full participation.

The Multiple Sclerosis Research Group at the University of Massachusetts is conducting a study funded by the Department of Defense to develop an instrument to measure changes in sensorimotor function for improved assessment of early Multiple Sclerosis (MS) progression before changes occur that lead to the onset of disability.

Methods: The aims of this study are to: 1) determine the optimal components of a MS Neuromotor test, and 2) to evaluate changes in sensorimotor function over a 2-year period to determine the sensitivity and validity of the designed neuromotor test for detecting change. We are recruiting healthy control participants to be part of this larger study on MS, by providing data on possible age related sensory or motor changes of the measures.

Participants will be asked to complete a series of questionnaires, be evaluated for sensorimotor function by: sensation testing at the hands and feet, upper and lower limb proprioception, a foot tapping test, and mobility tests including: timed up and go, 25ft walk, and six spot step test. The total study is expected to last for 3 years, with participant and your contribution would consist of a baseline assessment, and two follow-up measurements, one after 6 months and one after 2 years. All data collections will last for a duration of 1.5 hours at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

We are currently recruiting:

Females or males who are between 21 and 65 years of age

Without a diagnosis of MS

Have visual acuity of 20/20 (corrected with glasses/contacts is fine)

Who do not have any: neurological, musculoskeletal, metabolic, cardiovascular, cognitive or other major diseases or injuries.

For more details/or to participate please contact Juli Averill at the Sensorimotor Control Laboratory.

Multiple Sclerosis Proprioception Pilot Study

The Motor Control Lab at the University of Massachusetts is conducting a study that examines how felt position of where your body is located in space differs between those with and without MS.

Methods: To evaluate felt position of the body in space. Participants will first be asked to complete a few questionnaires pertaining to fatigue and MS symptoms (for MS participants only), followed by tests to obtain overall level of function. These functional tests will include: timed duration to go from sitting to standing five times, the number of foot taps that can be produced in a 10 second period, and pressure/vibration sensitivity testing of the feet. Fatigue levels and physical function are measured because both of these may impact balance and ability to feel where the body is located in space. To assess differences in perceived limb location we will evaluate: ability to recreate felt elbow or knee position while blindfolded, distance perception while walking blindfolded, and effect of playing a phone game on ability to balance. These tests take place in the Motor Control Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and will last for approximately 3 hours.

We are currently recruiting:

Females or males who are between 21 and 65 years of age

With or without a diagnosis of MS

Do not use an ambulation device for normal daily activities although may have some occasional use of aids

Able to walk unaided at self-determined normal and brisk paces and can stand for 20 - 30 minutes

Researchers in the Muscle Biology Laboratory are seeking participants for a study aimed at quantifying thigh muscle and fat content in healthy older adults (65-80 years old) that are not exercising heavily. This information is important because changes in skeletal muscle composition can alter contractile properties, eventually leading to impaired performance and increased disability.

Volunteers must meet the following criteria for participation: be 65-80 years old; be a non-smoker; be in good general health (have no neurological, cardiovascular, peripheral vascular or pulmonary disease); have no metal implants, pacemakers, or anything that prevents undergoing an MRI scan; and willing to wear an activity monitor and fill out an activity log for one week.

Participants will be asked to complete 2-3 separate visits (~1-2 hours each) to the Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS). The first visit will consist of health screening and familiarization, and the remaining visit(s) will consist of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning. Compensation will be provided upon completion of the study.

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts- Amherst are studying how age and physical activity history change your leg strength and the way you walk. Participate in the study to learn about biomechanical analysis of walking and get free exercise!

The following criteria must be met to qualify for the study.

Ages 55-75 yrs

Healthy body weight

Ability to walk unaided for 40 minutes

No cardiovascular, respiratory or neurological problems.

No history of major reconstructive surgery in lower limb

Ability to participate in MRI scanning

As part of this study, we are also seeking 55-75 year old runners.

Participants will be asked to complete two study visits. One visit will involve filling out questionnaires and completing an MRI scan of your leg and will take approximately 1 hour. The second visit will be a 3 hour visit during which we will collect strength and walking data.

The Molecular and Cardiovascular Physiology Lab at UMass Amherst is looking at how heart disease risk changes during the menopausal transition. We are seeking premenopausal women who are 40 years old or older. If you have been exercising regularly for the past 2 years, and do not have cardiovascular disease, you may qualify. This study will provide you with information on your blood lipid levels, glucose levels, cardiovascular fitness, bone mineral density, and body composition. You may also win a $50 gift card to a local business, a gym membership, or personal training sessions.

You will be asked to come to UMass Amherst 3 times for approximately 1-3 hours per visit. During the study you will be asked to complete studies of blood vessel health using an ultrasound and Doppler machine and to undergo blood draws at rest and before and after exercise. You will complete a maximal exercise test and an acute bout of exercise.